be instructed by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be instructed by" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts where someone is receiving guidance or teaching from another person. Example: "Students are expected to be instructed by their teachers during the course." Alternative expressions include "be taught by" and "receive guidance from."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Learning through teaching and being instructed: One of the tutors felt that it appeared to be problematic for the students to be instructed by another student and in this respect to not anticipate the instructions based on their own prior knowledge due to the previous observation.

BMC Medical Education

Downing Street said Tory MPs would be instructed by their whips to vote for the bill.

The Guardian

In France, though, Rabelais portrayed saints as fools, and coined the phrase: "The wise may be instructed by a fool".

The Guardian

On this run they will be instructed by various walk-on wiseguys, some more important than others.

The New York Times - Books

They stay close to poetry and music and let themselves be instructed by literature's astonishing comfortableness off the cognitive grid.

The New York Times

Most of us, I suspect, just want to be trusted to get on with other people and not be instructed by activists about the dangers of racism.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

But the disciples rebel at being instructed by a woman.

The New York Times

Some began: "We are instructed by our client..."...

The Guardian - Money

I was being instructed by the Maestro himself.

The New Yorker

Because they had been instructed by the government".

The Guardian

For the main course, I'm instructed by Christophe himself.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal reports, this phrase effectively identifies responsibility or the chain of command without using aggressive active verbs.

Common error

Do not use "be instructed by" when you mean that a creative work was simply influenced by another. In those cases, "be informed by" or "be inspired by" is more accurate. Instruction implies a deliberate transfer of knowledge or a specific order.

Linguistic Context

This is a passive voice construction where the subject is the recipient of the action. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase typically connects a learner or an agent to a source of authority or knowledge using the preposition "by".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be instructed by" is a robust and grammatically correct passive construction used to denote the receipt of knowledge, guidance or orders. Ludwig AI data reveals its prevalence in Science and News & Media, indicating its suitability for professional and technical writing. Whether describing a student "being instructed by" a professor or a legal entity "being instructed by" a government mandate, the phrase ensures clarity regarding the agent of instruction. Writers should choose it over more casual alternatives like be taught by when a tone of authority or formal process is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be taught by

Shifts the focus toward a pedagogical or classroom setting.

be guided by

Suggests mentorship or following a set of principles rather than direct orders.

be directed by

Often used in management or legal contexts to imply a specific command.

be advised by

Implies receiving expert recommendations rather than mandatory commands.

be tutored by

Specific to one-on-one academic assistance.

be mentored by

Indicates a more personal and long-term professional relationship.

be informed by

Suggests being influenced or shaped by specific information or history.

receive training from

Focuses on the practical skill acquisition process.

be commanded by

Conveys a much stronger, often military or absolute authority.

be briefed by

Refers to receiving a specific summary of facts or situations.

FAQs

How to use "be instructed by" in a sentence?

You can use it to show someone receiving orders or lessons, such as "The jury will "be instructed by the judge" on how to proceed."

What can I say instead of "be instructed by"?

Depending on the context, you can use "be taught by", "be guided by", or "receive guidance from".

Which is more common, "be instructed by" or "be taught by"?

While "be taught by" is more frequent in general conversation, "be instructed by" is preferred in legal, scientific and highly formal media contexts.

Can "be instructed by" be used for objects?

Yes, in technical writing, an algorithm or a machine can "be instructed by" a user or a specific software switch to perform a task.